Ki - Home form crucial

Ki Sung-yueng feels Celtic will have to win their home games to have a chance of progressing in the Europa League.

Last Updated: 26/09/11 10:46am

Ki: Believes Celtic need to win their home games to have a chance of progressing in Europe

Ki Sung-yueng feels Celtic will have to win their home games in order to have a chance of reaching the knockout stages of the Europa League.

Celtic were handed a European reprieve after Sion were expelled from the competition, but started the group phase with a 2-0 defeat away to Atletico Madrid.

The Bhoys face Udinese in their first home match on Thursday and, in addition to welcoming 2010 winners Atletico to Parkhead, will also tackle French outfit Rennes.

Group I is arguably the toughest section in the first round and Ki is aware of the need for Celtic to claim maximum points in front of their own fans.

Target

"We have just played one game and if we win against Udinese we still have a chance," said the South Korea international.

"We will have to be at our best and if we get a chance we will have to score.

"Away games in the Europa League or Champions League are not easy so we should at least draw away games and win every home game, that is our target.

"But as I said, it's not going to be an easy game because they are a good team.

"They are doing very well in Italy but it is our home game which means we have a lot of fans behind us. So we want to win the game."

Celtic warmed up for the visit of Udinese by beating Inverness 2-0 in the SPL on Saturday following goals from midfielders Joe Ledley and James Forrest, and Ki admits everyone in the Hoops engine room needs to chip in with goals.

"We can't rely on the strikers every time," said Ki, who has notched three so far this season.

"We have good midfielders in the team who can score goals and I think we should score more.

"Me, Beram Kayal, Joe and Scott Brown can score more goals and help the strikers to score."